Vibrator



s. E. FouTs 1,751,626

VIBRATOR March 25, 1930.

Filed May 28, 1928 IN V EN TOR,

Patented Mar. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES SAMUEL E. FOUTS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA VIBRATOR Application filed May 28, 1928. Serial No. 281,106;

invention relates generally to having vibrating parts and, to themeans' ern ployed for varyingi the amplitude of vibra tionofsuch parts, the samebeing designed. withspecial referenceto thosedevices or in strumentswhich are known as vibrators and whichfare intended; primarily for I massage purposes. T ,7, e v e In the ordinaryftype of vibrator, the appli cator is moved ;by an eccentricwhich has a definite, and unvarying throwlfl' This throw may be sufficient or even excessive for treatmentof so'meof themore sensitive organs of the body and yet be entirelyiinsuflicient for some: other. organs-which are more deeply seated. 1

As applied to vibrators, therefore, it is the object of this invention to make possible the variation of the amplitude of vibration of the applicator I at. will and in accordance with the nature,f sensitiveness and location of the organ undergoing treatment, and to effect this variation without stopping the opera tion of thevibrator. This variation is ef fected by changing the throw of the eccentric mechanism, the means used for this purpose being of such a nature as will maintain such mechanism locked against further change except as the said means is positively actuated. While it is realized that the above stated results may be accomplished by various forms of mechanisms, that shown in the accompanying drawings is my present preferred form, although the appended claims are not intended to be limited thereto any farther than their specific terms and the prior state of the art necessitate.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, showing the improved means for modifying the effective throw of the eccentric mechanism, and Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Taking up a detailed description of the in vention by reference to the drawings, 3 is a shaft ,which may be-rotatedlby any appropriate means. In the embodiment shown,'it is the shaft ofthe armature 4 of an electric motor; They-drawings show only part of the complete" device, it being understood that the casing 5. has a complementary part so as completely to encase the motor and the other actuating mechanisms.

-.Extending through a suitable bearing 6 in the casing is the Operating Stem 7 of the I plicator 8, which latter may be any one of the several forms usually furnished With devices of this character. The said stem and applicator are reciprocated by the motor through the variable eccentric mechanism now to be described.

Upon the shaft 3, and preferably integral therewith, is the main eccentric 9; and, surrounding this eccentric, is the auxiliary eccentric 10. The latter is adapted to be turned about the eccentric 9 into any angular posi tion. As shown in Fig. 2, the thickest parts of the eccentrics extendin opposite directions. In other words, the throw of eccentric 9-is to the right while that of the auxiliary eccentric is to the left. When in these relative positions, the two eccentrics tend to neutralize each other; and if the eccentricity of one is exactly equal to that of the other, the neutralization is complete and the eccentricity as a whole is nil.

By turning the eccentric 10 about the main eccentric from the position shown, the eccentricity as a whole is gradually increased until, when the throw of both eccentrics is in the same direction, the resultant eccentricity is substantially double that produced by either eccentric alone.

The auxiliary eccentric is preferably provided with integral flanges 11 and 12, the former'extending slightly under one end of the main eccentric and the latter flange serving to hold the eccentric strap 13 in position. This strap encircles the auxiliary eccentric and is adjustable about the latter by a screw 14 which passes through a lug 15 on one end of the strap and threads into a similar lug 16 on the other end thereof. On the side of the auxiliary eccentric opposite the flanges 11 and 12, there is an annular member 17 which overlaps the main eccentric and the strap and holds the parts in posit-ion, the member being secured to the auxiliary eccentric by rivets or bolts 18, as shown. The eccentric strap is provided opposite the lugs 15 and 16 with a stem 19 which has a ball or head 20, the same forming part of a universal joint with the stem 7 of the applicator.

The member 17 has a tubular portion 17 surrounding the shaft 3; and, secured to this portion, is a driven'worm wheel 21, the driving worm 22 of which is rigidly connected with another driven worm wheel 23 which is, in turn, driven by the worm 24 which terminates one end of the short driving shaft 25. This shaft extends parallel to the motor shaft 3, being carried by the latter through a member 26 which is secured to the motor shaft. The shaft 25 is journaled in the member 26 and is carried with the latter in an orbit about the motor shaft. Thus the shaft 25 always occupies the same posit-ion with respect to the main eccentric 9.

On its end opposite the worm 24, the shaft 25 carries a small disk or wheel 27, the same being firmly secured to the shaft and being preferably milled or otherwise roughened about its perimeter. This disk is, therefore, adapted both for rotation with its shaft 25 and for revolution in an orbit about the motor shaft 3.

Mounted for reciprocation in the casing 5 is a device for causing rotation of the disk 27 and consequent adjustment of the eccentric 10. It comprises a plunger 28 which is normally retained in its outer position by a coiled spring 29. On its outer end it is provided with a push-button or head 30, and, on its inner end within the casing, with a plate 31. As shown in Fig. 2, the plate moves substantially in contact with a shoulder or abutment 32 of the casing whereby it is prevented from tipping or the plunger from rotating. This plate is in the plane of the orbit of the disk 27. On its inner side and facing the orbit is a pad 33 of readily compressible material, such as rubber. As will be noted by reference to Fig. 1, the inner surface of the pad is concaved on a radius which is greater than the radius of the orbit of the outer rim of the disk 27.

Normally, the pad is retracted by the spring 29 so as to be out of contact with the revolving disk. When the plunger is depressed slightly, however, the disk is caused to roll against the central part only of the pad and to rotate slightly, thus turning to a corresponding degree the worm 24, which movement is transmitted through the described gearing to'the worm wheel 21, resulting in the slow rotation of the eccentric 10 about the main eccentric. Further depression of the plunger causes the disk to roll on a longer are of the pad and results in an accelerated adjustment of the auxiliary eccentric. Y

By the means thus described, the auxiliary eccentric may be shifted slowly about the main eccentric as the vibrator is operated and the adjusting action may be arrested at any instant by releasing the plunger 28. The amplitude of vibration may thus be regulated and the eccentric maintained positively in any position of adjustment, since the worm gearing serves to lock the eccentrics against relative movement except as the disk 27 is rotated. The speed of adjustment may be regulated by the extent of depression of the plunger and also by the pitch given the worms and wheels. Whether the eccentrics beset for small or large amplitude of vibration, the direction of thrust applied to the stem 7 of the applicator is substantially radial from the motor shaft at the instant of greatest resistance, which comes at or near the end of the outer movement of the applicator.

The member 26, disk 27, shaft 25 and gear 24 have a tendencyto unbalance the mechanism as a whole. To secure exact balancing, the member 26 is provided with an extension 34 opposite the shaft 25, into which extension a counter balancing screw 35 is threaded. This screw may be moved in or out until an exact balance is obtained. The member 26 may be secured to the shaft 3 in any suitable way, as by a set-screw 36.

I claim 1. In a vibrator, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric mounted upon and encircling the main eccentric, a vibrating part, connections between the auxiliary eccentric and said part for vibrating the latter as the shaft is rotated, a member secured to said shaft and rotating therewith, a second shaft journaled in said member, a worm rigid with said second shaft, a worm wheel meshing with said worm, a second worm rigidly connected with said worm wheel, a second worm wheel meshing with said second worm and rigidly connected with the auxiliary eccentric, and means operable at will for causing the said second shaft to rotate on its axis as it is carried about in its orbit, whereby the auxiliary eccentric is adjusted about the main eccentric, for the purpose specified.

2. In a vibrator, a casing, a rotatable shaft, a main eccentric on said shaft, an auxiliary eccentric mounted upon and encircling said main eccentric, a vibrating part, connections between the auxiliary eccentric and said part for vibrating the latter as the shaft is rotated, a member secured to said shaft and rotating therewith, a second shaft journaled in said member, a disk non-rotatably secured to said 

